An 88-year-old San Jose jewelry store owner was hospitalized after suffering a stroke during a violent smash-and-grab robbery last Friday. The suspects reportedly smashed into Kim Hung Jewelry using a car before proceeding to steal jewelry and fleeing the scene. The owner, who has been a staple in the community for over 40 years, sustained injuries from the assault and broken glass, as captured on surveillance footage. The community response has been one of concern and outrage, calling for immediate action against such crimes.
According to CBS San Francisco, the crime occurred just after 2 PM, when the owner was about to close up shop. His niece, who arrived minutes after the assault, described the scene with her uncle lying on the ground, evidently confused and repeatedly asking if they were ready to go home. The family later recognized the situation as being more serious than initially thought when the owner began to exhibit signs of a stroke. They promptly had him rushed to the hospital.
Community activists and local leaders gathered yesterday to show support for the victim and to denounce the escalating violence against small businesses. At the rally, Edward Escobar, founder of the Coalition for Community Engagement, emphasized the vulnerability of small businesses to such attacks and the underreporting of crimes, a sentiment he shared in an interview with CBS San Francisco. He tied this underreporting to the potential cancellation of business insurance. The damage to Kim Hung Jewelry is expected to surpass $50,000, a significant setback for the longstanding business.
The response from the city's leaders included Mayor Matt Mahan expressing his anger and commitment to ensuring that those responsible "face the harshest possible consequences for their actions," he wrote on X. This statement was echoed at a press conference held by the Coalition for Community Engagement, where San Jose City Councilmember Bien Doan stressed, "We no longer accept the norm. We ask for change," a sentiment reported by KTVU. Furthermore, community leaders are urging the expansion of surveillance technology and a strengthened police presence in high-risk retail areas.
Meanwhile, a post by Moore On The Street reiterated the shock and sense of urgency needed to combat this rising tide of crime. "@MattMahanSJ you’ve done a lot for SJ but still more criminals to be locked up," the post read. The calls for justice and better protection for small businesses continue as the owner of Kim Hung Jewelry recovers, and the community looks for ways to prevent such incidents in the future. As of this writing, no arrests have been made, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Jose Police Department's Robbery Unit.
My friend’s 88 year old uncle's San Jose Jewelry Store was robbed on Fri 9/5 at 2pm. They ran a truck through the store and then pushed him down. He was injured by broken glass and then had a stroke. @MattMahanSJ you’ve done a lot for SJ but still more criminals to be locked up. pic.twitter.com/5eSRaCVKo2
— Moore On The Street (@Chris_Moore4Sup) September 6, 2025
